The Sulfolane Turnaround Team at the CITGO Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex recently successfully planned and executed a sulfolane unit turnaround and simultaneous B-reformer regeneration.  The B-reformer regeneration resulted in a $92,000 savings in planning, supervision and rental equipment costs.  According to Mark Higginbotham, turnaround manager, the team completed 71,600 hours on the two projects OSHA-free. 

“The Sulfolane Turnaround Team did an outstanding job of executing a safe, reliable and cost-effective turnaround of the Sulfolane unit,” says Jerry Dunn, area manager reforming.  “They accomplished this feat despite significant challenges, including 28 percent scope growth on the Sulfolane turnaround due to unanticipated discovery work.  One of the reasons why this turnaround was successful was the cooperation between CITGO employees, contractors and vendors.  Throughout the turnaround, I continued to hear how the different groups worked together to accomplish required tasks.  The result of the turnaround team’s effort has been a successful startup and a unit currently producing over 4,000 bpd of benzene product for our customers.”

“Congratulations to the joint turnaround team comprised of operations, safety, engineering, maintenance and contractors for starting the job focused on our core values of safety, environmental and quality and maintaining that focus throughout the turnaround,” says Alton Lindstrom, turnaround maintenance manager.  “That focus along with outstanding communication and cooperation between all groups was one of the keys to their success.  Thanks for your hard work and dedication that made this turnaround successful.”